Managing fleet assets like vehicles, drivers, trailers, and freight is a complex process. Without proper asset visibility, fleet managers can’t effectively allocate resources, optimize routes or keep operating expenses in check.
Fortunately, real time GPS technology can empower fleet managers to gain total visibility of all of their assets. If you’re a fleet manager or own a freight company, you can benefit from implementing this technology into your business model.
And when you’re finished reading, check out the other articles in our ‘GPS tracking’ series:
- What is commercial GPS tracking?
- GPS vs GIS: Which technology is better for your fleet?
- Benefits of real time GPS fleet-tracking solutions
- Best GPS trackers with no monthly fee
How does real time GPS fleet tracking work?
Real time GPS technology establishes an active connection between a field asset such as a vehicle or trailer and an asset-management platform.
The asset-management platform may establish this connection via a standalone GPS device or by communicating with the driver’s smartphone. Once a connection is established, the device or phone will relay important information about the vehicle to the platform, such as speed, location, and direction of travel.
Fleet managers can use this data to guide decision-making, plan routes and allocate resources. They can also leverage this information to provide status updates to clients and be proactive when shipping delays arise.
How much data does a real time GPS tracker use?
Real time GPS trackers use very minimal data. While the precise amount will vary based on several factors, most consume just a few megabytes per hour of use. For context, music streaming applications may consume several megabytes of data to play a single song.
What is the distance a GPS tracker can record?
A GPS tracker can monitor the location of vehicles from any distance, provided they have a connection with the network.
GPS technology allows fleet managers to monitor assets’ locations no matter where they travel. If a driver travels through a dead zone, the system will provide updated location data as soon as a connection is restored.
Can GPS tracking data be wrong?
High-end GPS tracking technology is typically accurate to a distance of approximately 6 feet or less, while consumer-grade technology like smartphones are accurate within about 16 feet under open skies. However, less sophisticated GPS solutions can sometimes lag, meaning the location data is several minutes behind a vehicle’s actual positioning. These lags or latency times may range anywhere from one minute to several, depending on the quality of the technology.
Top-end options provide real time positional data. These solutions give fleet managers precise (or exact) location data anytime, day or night.
7 benefits of real time GPS fleet tracking solutions
By investing in real time GPS fleet tracking solutions, your organization can take advantage of benefits such as:
Lowered operating expenses and maintenance costs
A real time tracking solution will allow you to optimize both route planning and resource allocation. In turn, you’ll be able to reduce vehicle mileage and fuel consumption. Ultimately, this will enable you to decrease operating costs, reduce wear and tear on vehicles and extend the service life of your assets.
Better time management
If you’re currently using antiquated fleet-tracking processes, you know just how inefficient these practices can be. A real time solution that provides automated updates will save time and help you focus on more dynamic, value-oriented tasks.
Resource and route optimization
Poorly designed routes increase the risk of delivery delays and dissatisfied customers. Subpar routing practices also increase fuel consumption, vehicle mileage, and driver fatigue.
You can eliminate these obstacles to business growth with a real time GPS solution. The best technologies not only allow you to track your assets but also offer route optimization These optimized routes will decrease delivery times, save fuel and boost driver morale.
Vehicle use
Keeping vehicle use rates at or near 100% should always be a priority for your business. A real time tracking solution will help you track your use rate so you can proactively work to optimize it.
Increasing your use rate will improve your time-to-value when investing in new fleet assets like trucks and trailers. You can ensure that your assets aren’t sitting idly in the yard and depreciating.
Easier overview of assets
One of the most important benefits of a real time GPS vehicle tracking solution is that it provides you with a complete overview of your assets.
At a glance, you can see how many total assets you have and how many are available. Achieving total asset transparency will enable you to better serve clients, adhere to delivery timetables and increase customer satisfaction.
Better waste and financial management
Real time GPS technology can enhance your financial management capabilities in several ways. You can use this technology to monitor financial and waste management through fuel consumption, track total vehicle mileage and take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance.
Additionally, you can monitor drivers’ habits, reward good drivers and reach out to employees who may not be adhering to established safety practices. Doing so will indirectly protect your business by reducing the likelihood of vehicle accidents, thereby decreasing your chances of facing a lawsuit or rising insurance rates.
For optimal results, consider pairing a real time tracking solution with auxiliary technology like dash cams.
Finding top GPS-tracking fleet-management solutions for your business
There’s no question that fleet-tracking solutions can offer your company a ton of value. With telematics GPS software, you can reduce overhead costs, improve resource use and optimize delivery routes.
However, it’s vital that you choose the right telematics technology for your business, as each solution on the market offers unique sets of capabilities and features.
Our expert team has reviewed a multitude of solutions, including hardware like GPS trackers, electronic logging devices, and dashcams. We’ve also taken a deep dive into top real time GPS tracking solutions.
If you’re ready to start your search for the best fleet-tracking software for your business, check out this review and explore other FreightWaves Ratings resources.
FAQ
Real time fleet tracking is a system that uses GPS technology to monitor the location, speed, and direction of a group of vehicles, such as delivery trucks or taxis, in real time. This enables fleet managers to optimize routes, improve efficiency, and ensure driver safety.
GPS time synchronization is extremely accurate, providing timing accuracy within 100 nanoseconds of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) under optimal conditions.
An example of tracking real time is a ride-hailing app like Uber or Lyft, where the user can see the real time location, movement, and estimated arrival time of their booked vehicle on a map.
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